Material-holding device

ABSTRACT

A material-holding device composed of a plurality of veticallyspaced horizontal shelves that are connected at opposite transversely-spaced ends by front and rear parallel links so that the shelves may swing from direct vertically aligned positions with respect to one another to fore-and-aft offset positions with respect to one another. Supported on one of the upper shelves are a pair of depending legs or supports that have lower ends that engage a table top or other surface so as to support the entire device when the shelves are in their fore-and-aft offset positions. The legs or supports are fixed to an upper shelf and are received in notches opening rearwardly in the shelves beneath the upper one. The containers mounted on the shelves have lids that swing about on a transverse horizontal axis and are forced into and are retained in their closed positions when the shelves are moved into their vertically aligned positions.

Tanner States atet 1 91 [76] Inventor: Roy E. Tanner, 4810 Second Avenue, Moline, 111. 61265 221' Filed: Jan. 6, 1971 [21] App]. No.2 104,436

[52] US. Cl. ..223/107, 211/150, 242/139 [51] Int. Cl. ..A41h 31/00 [58] Field of Search ..223/106, 107, 108, 109; 211/150, 149,128;242/136, 139, 137

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS v 2,489,988 11/1949 Taylor ..242/l39 988,837 4/1911 Tharp ..223/106 2,315,275 3/1943 Sanford.. ..242/l36 538,145 4/1895 Allen ....2l1/149X 1,647,723 11/1927 Casali ..2ll/l49 739,085 9/1903 Kamerer..... .211/149 X 2,588,529 3/1952 Hume ..242/l39 Mutzell ......223/106 1 Jan. 23, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A material-holding device composed of a plurality of vetically-spaced horizontal shelves that are connected at opposite transversely-spaced ends by front and rear parallel links so that the shelves r'nay swing from direct vertically aligned positions with respect to one another to fore-and-aft offset positions with respect to one another. Supported on one of the upper shelves are a pair of depending legs or supports that have lower. ends that engage a table top or other surface so as to support the entire device when the shelves are in their fore-and-aft offset positions. The legs or supports are fixed to an upper shelf and are received in notches opening rearwardly in the shelves beneath the upper one. The containers mounted on the shelves have lids that swing about on a transverse horizontal axis and are forced into and are retained in their closed positions when the shelves are moved into their vertically aligned positions.

1 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTl-jmms 197s FIG.

FIG. 4

FIG. 2

FIG.

INVENTOR. ROY E. TANNER MATERIAL-HOLDING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a material-holding device that has a plurality of horizontal shelves therein that are movable relative to one another between fore-and-aft offset positions and vertically aligned positions. Mounted on the shelves are material retaining structures'that receive material overhead and consequently when the shelves are in their vertically aligned positions, material cannot be placed on or removed from these structures.

Heretofore, it has been known to provide spool-supporting pins that are mounted on parallel shelves so that thread could be removed from the spool when the shelves are open. However, in many instances it is desirable to place items in containers that are mounted on shelves and it is also desirable to force the containers into a closed position when they are not in use.

It is also desirable to place the containers on the shelves so that the entire container may be removed when desired and again be replaced on the shelves when there is nofurther need for it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION lower ends will contact and engage a table top or other surface to support the entire device whenthe shelves are in their extended positions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide materialcontaining devices on the respective shelves v,that' enclose in part vertical pins or supporting spools and-in part containers with lower depending pin portions that are received in openings in the shelves.

The containers have lids that swing back 'on horizontal hinges and the height of the containers are such that the lids must be closed when the shelves are in vertical alignment and the only time the lids may be opened is when the shelves are in fore-and-aft offset relationship to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the entire material holding device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device with portions removed to clearly show portions of the structure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the device in its closed condition.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The material-holding device is composed of a plurality of vertically-spaced horizontal and parallel shelves 10. Each shelf is transversely elongated and has a front edge 11, a rear edge 12 and oppositely transverselyspaced ends l3, 14. A pair of parallel links or bars l5, l6 and 17, 18 connect to opposite ends of the shelves 10 by transverse pivot pins such as at 19. The parallel links l5, l6 and 17, 18 permit the shelves movement between a position shown in FIG. 4 in which the shelves 10 are vertically aligned in a position as shown in FIG. 2 in which the shelves 10 are fore-andaft offset from one another.

A pair of transversely-spaced parallel and vertically extending openings not shown are provided in the second shelf from the top adjacent the shelfs rear edge. The upper ends of a pair of stands or support elements 21, 22 are retained or fixed in the openings and have lower ends that are adapted to engage the surface of a table for supporting the rear portion of the device when it is as shown in FIG. 2. Referring specifically to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the height of the supports 22 is such that the shelves 10 are horizontal and the lower edge of the link 17 engages the upper edge of link 18 thereby offering stability to the entire unit when it is in such a position. The middle shelf 10 is provided with a pair of notches or recesses 23, 24 that open from the rear edge 12 of the shelf 10'. The notch 23 is angled from that edge so that in placing the pin 21 through the inlet 25 of that notch 23, it must be bent or distorted from the direct vertical. Upon it moving through the inlet 25, the resilient element 21. will snap into the base of thenotch 23 and will operate to lock, when so disposed, the entire device in its vertical position as shown in FIG. 4.

The notch 24 opens directly forwardly from the edge 12 although it should be understood that a similar angled notch could be provided for the support 22. Also, the supports 21, 22 engage the rear edges when in the notches 23, 24 so as to prevent forward tilting movement of the upper shelves to a position in which the shelves are vertically aligned. Thus, the supports 21, 22 not only serve as a support for the device when the shelves are in their open position, but also serve as a locking device to prevent accidental movement of the device out of its closed position as shown in FIG. 4.

There is provided on the second highest shelf 10 a pair of material-retaining structures 27, 28. The structures 27, 28 are in the form of material containers having lower upwardly opening bases or'boxes 29 and lids 30 that are hinged at 31 to the upper rear edge of the lower box 29 and to the rear edge of the lid 30. The lid 30 has upper laterally extending surfaces 32 inclined downwardly from front to rear so that as the next highest shelf 10 moves from its open position to its closed position, the front edge 11 thereof will pass closely adjacent the surface 32. When the shelves 10 are in their closed position as shown in FIG. 4, the undersurface of the shelf 10 above the lid 30 will be closely adjacent the upper forward point 33 of the lid. This will prevent accidental opening of the lid 30. However, when the shelves are in their open position as shown in FIG. 2, the lid 30 may be hinged open and rest against the forward edge of the next highest shelf 10, such being shown in dotted representation in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the container 27 is retained on its respective shelf by a series of depending lugs or pins 34 which are integral with the floor or base 35 of the container. Provided in the shelf 10 are vertical openings 35 for receiving the pins or lugs 34. Provided on each lug 34 is an annular collar 36 which frictionally engages the internal surfaces of the openings 35. The containers 27, 28 may therefore be mounted in the respective shelf 10 by pressing the lugs 34 in the openings 35 and it has a snap-in type of feel when it is so inserted.

The middle shelf 10 is provided with a series of transversely-spaced openings centrally located between the front and rear edges ll, 12 that receive vertical pins 37 that may be glued or otherwise held in the shelf 10'. If the entire device is made of plastic, the pins 37 may be integral with the respective shelf 10'. The pins 37 serve as material-retaining structures for spools 38, or other products that can be retained on pins. As shown in FIG. 4, the height of the pins 37 are such that when the shelves 10 are in vertically aligned positions, it will be impossible to remove the spool from the pin 37.

Also provided on the rear upper edge of the upper shelf 10 is a hanger element 40 which will permit the entire device to be hung on a wall when it is desired to store it. Such hanger device 40 is used on smaller devices.

l claim:

1. A material holding device composed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal parallel shelves; a pair of parallel bars at each end of the shelves pivotally connected respectively to the respective ends on fore-andaft spaced apart horizontal pivots and permitting said shelves to swing on the respective pivots from vertically aligned relation with one another to an extended position in which the shelves are offset both vertically and fore-and-aft from one another; a plurality of material retaining structures on the shelves extending vertically from the respective shelves a height closely adjacent the next highest shelf when the shelves are vertically aligned for material retention; parallel vertical supporting elements fixed to a supporting shelf adjacent the rear edge thereof and depending vertically therefrom to lower ends; notches recessed in the rear edge of at least one of the shelves beneath the supporting shelf for receiving the supporting elements when the shelves are in their vertically aligned positions, the notch for at least one of the elements being recessed at an angle to its respective rear edge with the entry thereof being offset from the vertical axis of said element and there is sufficient resiliency to permit the respective element to shift for entry into the latter notch, and said elements are of equal length and serve as supports for the holding device when the shelves are in their extended position.

2. The material holding device as set forth in claim 1 in which the material retaining structures are containers that sit on the respective shelves and have downwardly extending pins and said shelves have vertical openings therein for receiving the pins.

3. The material holding device as set forth in claim 2 in which the pins have external ribs thereon that frictionally retain the containers on their respective shelves. j

4. The material holding device as set forth in claim 1 in which the parallel bars at each end of the shelves contact one another to limit the extended position of said shelves at substantially 45 to the horizontal.

S. A material holding device composed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal shelves having front and rear edges and opposite transversely spaced ends, each shelf having a plurality of transversely spaced vertical openings therein; a pair of parallel links at each end of said shelves, each pair including front and rear links interconnecting the shelves adjacent their front and rear edges so that said shelves may swing from vertically aligned positions to fore-and-aft offset positions; material containers supported on the respective shelves having upper lids swingable about rear transverse hinges and depending vertical lugs seated in the vertical openings, said container being of a height when closed to substantially fill the vertical distance between the respective adjacent shelves when the latter are vertically aligned so that said lids are swingable to open only upon the shelves being in fore-and-aft offset positions; and vertical supporting members fixed to depend from one of said shelves along its rear edge and having lower ends engageable with a surface for supporting the device when the shelves are offset fore-and-aft from one another.

6. The material holding device as set forth in claim 5 in which the supporting members are received in recesses notched from the rear edges of at least one of the shelves beneath the one they are supported on.

7. A material holding device composed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal parallel shelves; a pair of parallel bars at each end of the shelves pivotally connected respectively to the respective ends on fore-andaft spaced apart horizontal pivots and permitting said shelves to swing on the respective pivots from vertically aligned relation with one another to an extended position in which the shelves are offset both vertically and fore-and-aft from one another; a plurality of box-like containers, each of which have lids thereon hinged about their rear edges, and said containers are of a height when closed that substantially fills the vertical distance between the respective adjacent shelves when the latter are vertically aligned whereby the respective lid will be restricted against opening when the shelves are vertically aligned; parallel vertical supporting elements fixed to a supporting shelf adjacent the rear edge thereof and depending vertically therefrom to lower ends, said elements being of equal length and serving as supports for the holding device when the shelves are in their extended position.

8. The material holding device as set forth in claim 7 in which the lids have upper laterally extending surfaces inclined downwardly from front to rear. 

1. A material holding device composed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal parallel shelves; a pair of parallel bars at each end of the shelves pivotally connected respectively to the respective ends on fore-and-aft spaced apart horizontal pivots and permitting said shelves to swing on the respective pivots from vertically aligned relation with one another to an extended position in which the shelves are offset both vertically and fore-and-aft from one another; a plurality of material retaining structures on the shelves extending vertically from the respective shelves a height closely adjacent the next highest shelf when the shelves are vertically aligned for material retention; parallel vertical supporting elements fixed to a supporting shelf adjacent the rear edge thereof and depending vertically therefrom to lower ends; notches recessed in the rear edge of at least one of the shelves beneath the supporting shelf for receiving the supporting elements when the shelves are in their vertically aligned positions, the notch for at least one of the elements being recessed at an angle to its respective rear edge with the entry thereof being offset from the vertical axis of said element and there is sufficient resiliency to permit the respective element to shift for entry into the latter notch, and said elements are of equal length and serve as supports for the holding device when the shelves are in their extended position.
 2. The material holding device as set forth in claim 1 in which the material retaining structures are containers that sit on the respective shelves and have downwardly extending pins and said shelves have vertical openings therein for receiving the pins.
 3. The material holding device as set forth in claim 2 in which the pins have external ribs thereon that frictionally retain the containers on their respective shelves.
 4. The material holding device as set forth in claim 1 in which the parallel bars at each end of the shelves contact one another to limit the extended position of said shelves at substantially 45* to the horizontal.
 5. A material holding device composed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal shelves having front and rear edges and opposite transversely spaced ends, each shelf having a plurality of transversely spaced vertical openings therein; a pair of parallel links at each end of said shelves, each pair including front and rear links interconnecting the shelves adjacent their front and rear edges so that said shelves may swing from vertically aligned positions to fore-and-aft offset positions; material containers supported on the respectIve shelves having upper lids swingable about rear transverse hinges and depending vertical lugs seated in the vertical openings, said container being of a height when closed to substantially fill the vertical distance between the respective adjacent shelves when the latter are vertically aligned so that said lids are swingable to open only upon the shelves being in fore-and-aft offset positions; and vertical supporting members fixed to depend from one of said shelves along its rear edge and having lower ends engageable with a surface for supporting the device when the shelves are offset fore-and-aft from one another.
 6. The material holding device as set forth in claim 5 in which the supporting members are received in recesses notched from the rear edges of at least one of the shelves beneath the one they are supported on.
 7. A material holding device composed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal parallel shelves; a pair of parallel bars at each end of the shelves pivotally connected respectively to the respective ends on fore-and-aft spaced apart horizontal pivots and permitting said shelves to swing on the respective pivots from vertically aligned relation with one another to an extended position in which the shelves are offset both vertically and fore-and-aft from one another; a plurality of box-like containers, each of which have lids thereon hinged about their rear edges, and said containers are of a height when closed that substantially fills the vertical distance between the respective adjacent shelves when the latter are vertically aligned whereby the respective lid will be restricted against opening when the shelves are vertically aligned; parallel vertical supporting elements fixed to a supporting shelf adjacent the rear edge thereof and depending vertically therefrom to lower ends, said elements being of equal length and serving as supports for the holding device when the shelves are in their extended position.
 8. The material holding device as set forth in claim 7 in which the lids have upper laterally extending surfaces inclined downwardly from front to rear. 